India will take on Sri Lanka in the 6th match of the Celkon Mobile Cup Tri-series 2013. The match will be played at Queens Park Oval, Port of Spain on Tuesday.
Overview:
India are in danger of being eliminated from the Tri-series. Their performance on Tuesday is crucial, as it will decide whether they go to the final or pack off for home. Being placed in the bottom of the table, they are in a do-or-die situation. A win will take them to the final on net run rate difference but defeat will mean that West Indies meet Sri Lanka in the final on Thursday. India will be keen to win on Tuesday.
Sri Lanka are currently on top of the table with nine points after winning two of the three matches played so far. They lost to West Indies in the opener but bounced back strongly and won the next two games convincingly. They come into the contest after tasting back-to-back win. They will be relaxed, as they are already assured of a place in the final but will be to keep the momentum.
Previous Meetings:
India have 76-53 win-loss record against Sri Lanka in 141 ODI meetings which include one tie and 11 no-results. Sri Lanka defeated India by 161 runs in their previous meeting this series.
Team News:
India: Top order - Rohit Sharma (46), Shikhar Dhawan (69) and Virat Kohli (102) helped the team put up a total of 311 in the previous match against West Indies. The team will expect a similar show in the crucial match against Sri Lanka and set up a platform for batsmen like Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, Murali Vijay and Ravindra Jadeja add some quick runs.
Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar took three wickets each while Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja took two wickets apiece in the match against West Indies. The bowlers did well in the previous match after a dismal show against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka: Openers Upul Tharanga and Mahela Jayawardene stole the limelight by scoring a century each in the previous match against India, but it was Kumar Sangakkara's knock of 90 that help the team win the crucial match against West Indies and qualify for the final. The openers will be expected to give a good start on Tuesday and put up a big total on the board as India have strong batting line-up.
Skipper Angelo Mathews took four wickets in the previous match, while Shaminda Eranga took three and Lasith Malinga two. The bowling department looks impressive this series.
Prediction:
Back-to-back wins must have boosted the confidence of the Sri Lankan team but India, who are in 'do-or-die' situation are expected to pull all they have and win the crucial match on Tuesday if rains don't disrupt the play.
Squads:
India: Virat Kohli (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Dinesh Karthik, Murali Vijay, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shami Ahmed, Umesh Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, R Vinay Kumar
Sri Lankan: Angelo Mathews (captain), Dinesh Chandimal (vice-captain), Kusal Perera, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Lahiru Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis, Lasith Malinga, Shaminda Eranga, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dilhara Lokuhettige, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake and Ajantha Mendis
Where to Watch Live:
The game will begin at 07:00 PM IST (Tuesday, 9 July) and it will be broadcast live in India on Ten Sports, Ten Cricket and Ten HD.
